Flax Egg Substitute

A flax seed egg is a great way to bind a recipe for baked goods.  Although not as fluffy as an egg, leavening agents will enhance the fluffiness issue.

How to make a Flax egg for use in baking?

This recipe yields the equivalent of one egg.  If you need two eggs then double this recipe.  The flax-seed egg is sticky so I don’t replace all eggs in the recipe with a flax-seed egg.  If a recipe calls for multiple eggs I will replace one egg with flaxseed and the other egg with one of the other egg replaces.  See my article on Egg Substitutes or Replacers for good ideas.

Ingredients 

• 1 level tablespoon
  Flaxseed Meal (ground raw flaxseed)
• 3 tablespoons
  Water

Preparation

Take one level tablespoon of Flaxseed Meal  and place it in a bowl

Add 3 tablespoons of water

Whisk it with a fork to combine

Let the flaxseed and water mixture sit for 5 – 10 minutes.  It is not an instant thickener and takes a rest time to thicken.   Give it a good stir after 5 minutes and before using it in your recipe.  

Can a flax egg be stored in the fridge?

A premixed flax egg is best used the same day.  You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours before you need to toss it in the garbage and start over.  As the flax egg will thicken the longer you let it sit before using it.  

Use Flaxseed in baked goods

Brownies

Cakes

Meatloaf 

Muffins and quick bread

Pancakes 

Vegetable burgers

How often do you need to replace your flaxseed meal?

It is suggested after opening to only keep the flaxseed meal for 3-4 months.   To store the flaxseed it is best to keep it in a cool place like a pantry or even in the refrigerator if it has been opened.   Storing flaxseed in the fridge will help to prevent the natural oils from oxidation and the possibility of decomposing and having a bad smell.  It will remain fresher longer if you store it in an airtight container.  A good practice is to write the date that you opened the flaxseed on a piece of masking tape and put it on the container or calculate an expiration date 4 months into the future and write that on the tape.  

Are Flaxseed eggs healthy?

Flax eggs have more fiber and omega – 3 fats than an egg.  They also have half the calories of an egg.  Although the egg has more protein than flaxseed, to compensate for less protein you can add nonfat plain greek yogurt or milk as the other egg in your recipe.  You will get plenty of protein.  Some examples of this are chobani greek yogurt has 14 grams of protein. A cup of milk has 8 grams of protein.

Nutrient breakdown of flax egg versus regular egg